Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22735, Samuel Solomon Dotter, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Dotter, Samuel Solomon
S. 22735
CONTENTS

Pennsylvania 22.644
Samuel Solomon Dotter, of Luzerne Co in the State of Penn. who was a Private in the Penn a commanded by Captain Brown of the Reg t commanded by Col t Deister in the Penn a line for 18 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Penna at the rate of 60 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of Nov. 1833 and sent to Henry Cottone Wilksbarre, L t Col Penna
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1833. — 150. Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Mar. 34, 30.
$ 180.
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm H. Palmer Clerk, Book 8. Vol. 5 th Page 14.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 —
State of Pennsylvania } Luzerne County ss }
In this fifth day of August A.D., 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas of said County now sitting, Samuel Schuman Datter, a resident of Kingston township in the County of Luzerne & state of Pennsylvania, aged seventy five years, who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1776 with Capt John Brown in the State of Pennsylvania, but cannot tell the Regiment, that he was enlisted for one year & served with him about ten months - during this time went to Long Island, & during the battle was on board the provision boats, was fired on & lost three men but escaped to main land - went to Trenton & Bristol, was disabled by accident for further service there & was discharged.
The next service was performed under Capt McMurray in Col Joseph Heston's Regiment & went to Farners Hill, about two months in A.D. 1777 and then changed to Capt Boon's company in Col Linton's Regiment, when in this company was sent with 24 wagons loaded with ammunition down to Red Bank, & passed to that place by way of Bristol & Burlington, was there at the battle which took place at Red Bank, & when the frigate was blown up &c. When I left there we were sent over as a scout to Brandywine & got there just as the battle was on. At the battle of Red Bank we were in Capt Boon's company of Volunteers & were generally employed as scouts. On this day had been so engaged, & had a skirmish with some Hessians, & during the battle our company moved sixteen deep through a gate

and every man in our platoon was killed except 3 of whom he was one, after this went to Reading & was discharged. From the time he went with Capt Boon till discharged was about 4 months - afterwards while residing at the Irish settlement in Northampton County was enrolled in Capt Knapp's company, & was drafted & went out in Capt Jacob Clayton's company & served with him against the Indians two months - Col. Nicholas Keene commanded the Regiment, while with him I went up the Leigh Lehigh, & across to the Sugarloaf Mountain, to where Berwick now stands - thence back over to the waters of the Lehigh, & finally was discharged at Tamaquana Northampton County. When he first entered the service, he resided nine miles from Reading, Berks County, when he went out under Capt. McMurtry Gen. Sub-Lieutenant Morgan directed that all should be sworn & take the oath of allegiance, & accordingly this declarant took the oath before Jacob Shernacker on the 21 st day of April 1778, the certificate of which if this note is now preserved, & he states that the certificate was given in the name of Samuel Datter, instead of Samuel Salaman Datter, which was his right name in full, though he has generally been known as Salaman Datter, & that this is the only thing in the nature of documentary evidence that he possesses.
He was born near Pottsgrove, then Philadelphia, now Montgomery County, Penn s on the third day of May 1759, has no record of his age in his own possession, but believes there is one in possession of his brother Philip Datter, in Northampton County, in upper Schuylkill township - cannot tell the names of any of the officers, then above mentioned. He received a discharge that he recollects, since the war has lived in Berks & Northampton Counties, & for the last 30 years in Luzerne County, & now lives in Newport, said County, but lived for twenty before in Little Bone Township.
He hereby relinquishes any claim to a pension whatever except the present, & declares that his name is

not on the pension roll of the agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of Pennsylvania
Summons returned to me & been served in open Court Aug. 5. 1833
Samuel Solomon Dotter
H. Pettibone Proth.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
I Henry Pettibone Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Solomon Dotter for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this Fifth — day of August A.D. 1833.
Henry Pettibone Proth. By. Harrisbolt

27.729 Application of Rev. Solomon Potter for Pension

27.729 22.649
Samuel Solomon Dotten Penn.
Adm 1. yr of h. months $10.
Henry Pettibone Wilkesbarre Luzerne Co. Pa.
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
14 th November 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Samuel Solomon Sloten.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1776. 10 about for Capt. Mo Brown 75 years.   77. 2 Capt. Mc Murray Living Witnesses   4. Capt. Beane   21 " Clayton  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State; or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

I do hereby certify that Samuel Fisher hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance and Fidelity, as directed by an act of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed the 23rd Day of June, A. D. 1777. Witness my Hand and Seal, the 21 st Day of April, Anno Domini 1778.
Jacob Shoenbeck
LANCASTER, NEW FRANCIS TILLEY.

All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No. 18591
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications, Room G 137.
October 26, 1927
Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering PENSION
Deliver to Room No. 5033
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE, EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostatic copies of 6 pages from Rev. War pension claim S. 22735 of Samuel Solomon Dotter.
No. of copies 1 of each page Shall form be kept standing? ..... days
For further information see M. M. H. Finch  5033  541 Room No. Phone No.
Approved: [Signature: H. L. Lambrecht] Chief Clerk of Bureau.
Acting [Signature: Margaret M. H. Finch] Chief of Branch XXXXn.
NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering .....
CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicate
Multigraph single or double space? ..... Facsimile signature? .....
Mimeograph one side or both sides? ..... Facsimile signature? .....
Folding once or twice? .....
Assembling
Stapling Once? Twice? Side? End? .....
Electric typewriter Fill in addresses? ..... Dated? .....
Addressograph from lists .....
Envelopes, size ..... Cards, size .....
Proof list ..... Pay rolls .....
Labels (submit sample) ..... Corrections .....
Fill in letters ..... Tabulation sheets .....
Photostat x Size actual Official use? ..... Repay? yes $ .90
Blue Print Size ..... Official use? ..... Repay? ..... $ .....
Remarks .....

Isario to
15822
3-2233
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
..... Oct. 26, 1927
Chief Rev. & 1812 Wars Section Division.
I have this day received from Mrs. Abigail C. Hart ...cash... in the amount of $ 1. 15 ....., requesting photostat copy as per letter herewith.
..... ..... ..... O. J. RANDALL Chief, Finance Division. 266 L. Copies Mailed Finance Div. M.H.F. Nov. 11-1927
To Hart Nov. 9-27
Margaret M. H. Finch Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
FINANCE DIVISION BOOK-KEEPER'S DESK OCT 26 1927 BUREAU OF PENSIONS
October 26, 1927
less below photostatic copies ary War pension claim of 35, Pennsylvania Troops. To genealogical purposes.
E. C. Hart, etc.
H. W. Jenke, Washington, D.C.

October 26, 1927
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Sir:
Please mail to the address below photostatic copies of six pages from Revolutionary War pension claim of Samuel Solomon Dotter, S. 22735, Pennsylvania Troops. To be certified. To be used for genealogical purposes.
Mrs. Abigail C. Hart, Garrettsville, Ohio.
Order for photos made by Mr. H. W. Jenks, Washington, D.C.
Received payment $1.15 October 26, 1927
Margaret M. H. Finch Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

Brooklyn
22735
INVALID.
27 Nov. 11 - Chats 20 Mrs. Abigail C. Hart MMS
File No. 22,735-
Samuel Solomon Dotten
Pr Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index: - Vol. 2 , Page 110
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Pennsylvania Luzerne county ss
Frederick Hline agea sixty six years and upwards of the township of New Port in the said county of Luzerne being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Samuel Solomon Datter the same who subscribes and swears to the within and foregoing declaration and that he first knew him in Berks County before the revolu- tionary war This deponent and said Datter were bound apprentices to one Jacob Gutweiler who resided in Macungie Township in Berks County Penna about nine miles from Reading and that while they were so living and about the year 1776 as near as this deponent can recollect the said Datter left his Master and enlisted into the service of the country in the Continental army and went away as a soldier that he was gone about ten months that this deponent saw said Datter after his return and he and his Master not agreeing said Datter went and enlisted again and before said Datter's return Gutweiler to whom we were bound died and this deponent became

State of Pennsylvania Suzerne County ss 3
Before the subscriber a
Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Suzerne, personally came Martin Arner who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that in the year 1780 or 1781 this deponent was called out to the frontiers with the militia and that he became acquainted with Samuel Solomon Dotter also a militia man and that they served together for the space of two months in the company commanded by Capt. Jacob Clayter, and that they were discharged from said service in Towamensing Township, Northampton County Pa. and that at the time of the discharge they were under the command of Col. Nicholas Heron - and further this deponent saith not.
Martin Arner
Suzerne County ss.
I do certify that on the Twenty Seventh day of April A.D. 1833 the above named Martin Arner of Nescopack township Suzerne Co. Penn: to me well known, personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace of said County, and being duly sworn according to law did on his oath depose & say that the facts contained in the above affidavit are just & true according to the best of his knowledge & belief. - and I do further certify that said Martin Arner is a man of good repute for truth & veracity - Witness my hand & seal at Nescopack the day & year first above said.
James B. Updegraff

free and he does not remember to have seen said Datter again till after the war This Deponent states that he is six or seven years younger than said Datter according as he understood their ages when they were apprentices Deponent remembers that on Datter's return from the service the first time he told this deponent he had been discharged a little before the term of service expired in consequence of a cut in the hand. Since deponent has resided in Luzerne County he has known said Datter about twelve years and known him to be the same who was apprentice with him And further deponent saith several years ago he has heard said Datter tell of his service and relate that he was in the battle of Germantown. Rehearsal he can feel the Smith not. Frederick Klein
Luzerne County Pa.
I do certify that on the fifth day of May A.D. 1833 the above named Frederick Klein of Newport Township Luzerne Co. to me well known personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in said County and being duly sworn according to law did on his oath depose & say that the facts set forth in the foregoing Affidavit are just & true according to the best of his knowledge and belief. And I do further certify that the said Frederick Klein is a man of good report for truth and veracity. Witness my hand and seal at Newport the day & year aforesaid
Thomas Williams J. P. (Seal)

State of Penna Luzerne County ss
I Isaac Bowman Recorder of Deeds &c. in the said County do hereby certify that the within named Jonas Buss and Thomas Williams are Justices of the peace in the said County duly commissioned and sworn and that full faith & credit ought to be given to all their Official acts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Office at Wilkes Barre this 19 th day of August A.D. 1833.
Isaac Bowman Recr